Vehicle Seat Contour Adjustment via Pump Operating Time
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat contour adjustment systems are costly due to the need for multiple pressure sensors, which increase manufacturing and assembly efforts, and lack precise control over contour adjustments without pressure sensors.
Innovation Solution
A device using a control and evaluation unit to determine air quantity supplied by pump operating time, correlating it with the vehicle seat contour, allowing for selective adjustment without pressure sensors, by measuring pump power consumption and rotational speed to infer pressure and adjust accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are used to measure air cushion pressure for contour adjustment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pump operating time as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine air cushion pressure. Instead of directly measuring pressure with sensors, the control unit calculates the air quantity supplied based on how long the pump has been operating, thereby inferring the current pressure state without requiring pressure sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump itself provides the measurement information through its operating characteristics. By monitoring the pump's operating time and power consumption, the system uses the pump's own operational data to determine the air cushion state, eliminating the need for separate measurement devices.
2Measurement precision
If two absolute pressure sensors are used to measure excess pressure in air cushions, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct pressure measurement with an intermediary measurement approach. Instead of using pressure sensors to directly measure excess pressure, the system uses pump operating time and power consumption as intermediary parameters to calculate the air quantity supplied, which then allows inference of the excess pressure state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the measurement function from separate pressure sensors and integrates it into the pump control system. By using the pump's own operational data (time and power consumption) as the measurement basis, the system removes the need for additional pressure sensing components.
3Manufacturing precision
If pressure sensors are installed in air cushions for contour control, then contour adjustment precision is improved, but assembly effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement and control functions into a single integrated system. The pump control unit simultaneously manages air supply and determines cushion pressure state based on operating parameters, combining what would traditionally be separate sensing and control components into one unified control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses pump operating time as an intermediary to bridge the gap between air supply control and pressure state determination. This intermediary parameter allows the system to achieve precise contour control without the complexity of installing and integrating separate pressure sensors.
4Productivity
If air cushions are filled simultaneously without position consideration for form increase, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the filling process adapts to the current seat contour state. The control unit continuously monitors pump operating time and adjusts the air supply strategy accordingly, transitioning from simultaneous filling to position-dependent filling as the adjustment progresses, thereby maintaining both speed and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from pump operating time and power consumption measurements to continuously adjust the air supply strategy. By monitoring how the pump performance changes during operation, the control unit can determine when to switch from rapid simultaneous filling to more precise position-dependent filling, maintaining accuracy throughout the process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies manufacturing and assembly by eliminating the need for pressure sensors, enabling precise and economical adjustment of vehicle seat contours based on air quantity and pump operation time, while accounting for passenger weight and reducing measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one air cushion (2) that can be filled with pressurized air via a supply line (3) connected to a pump (4)
Implementation Method 2
a control and evaluation unit (9) to determine the air quantity being supplied to the at least one air cushion (2) by means of a pump's operating time
Implementation Method 3
a first valve (5) that opens and closes the supply line (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A device to adjust a contour of a vehicle seat with contour adjustment, may include at least one air cushion connected to a pump via a supply line, a first valve for opening and closing the supply line, and a control and evaluation unit to determine an air volume being supplied to the at least one air cushion via an operating time of the pump and to correlate the air volume being supplied to the at least one air cushion with a contour of the vehicle seat. A related method for adjusting a contour of a vehicle seat with contour adjustment equipped with such a device, may include determining an air volume being supplied to the at least one air cushion via the operating time of the pump, and the air volume being supplied to the at least one air cushion is correlated with a contour of the vehicle seat.